Royals put focus on marriage rights

Progressive advocate group GetUp! and Australian Marriage Equality will be key sponsors of live outdoor public screenings of the Royal Wedding in Sydney on Friday, April 29.

Sponsorship will include the broadcasting of their recent television advertisement, while spectators will receive slices of wedding cake made by Sydney company Gaycakes, and gift bags including AME’s Case for Equality booklet.

The groups hope to send the message that many gay and lesbian Australians share the same aspiration as William and Kate to marry and share a life together.

“The buzz around the royal wedding is a good example of why marriage is important to so many people – as a way of expressing commitment to a loved one and having your relationship recognised by the rest of our society,” GetUp spokesman Paul Mackay said.

“It’s time the Government steps up and supports equality and fairness for all couples.”

Australian Marriage Equality national convenor Alex Greenwich said same-sex couples should have the same chance to marry their partners.

“On this happy day when Australians celebrate the royal wedding, many Australians share the aspiration to one day marry their own ‘prince’ or ‘princess’, including many gay and lesbian Australians,” he said.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard will be attending the wedding with her de facto partner Tim Mathieson.

Also in attendance will be along Elton John and husband David Furnish, and openly-gay rugby player Gareth Thomas, while the official wedding poem has been written by the lesbian Poet Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy.